BRIDGEPORT -- There's a core that returned for Quinnipiac men's hockey from last year's national runner-up, a few key scorers and a couple of defensemen.

But there's plenty different about the Bobcats going into Friday's NCAA East Regional semifinals at Webster Bank Arena, most notably a class of 10 freshmen that stepped into key spots from Day 1.

"That's a big credit to our coaches and the upperclassmen," said freshman forward Sam Anas, who leads the Bobcats with 43 points and 22 goals. "They've done a good job making us feel like part of the group right away. We do everything together, on and off the ice."

Eight freshmen have played 19 games or more for Quinnipiac (24-9-6), which faces Providence (21-10-6) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. as one of the last 16 college hockey teams playing.

The defense corps has just one senior, Zach Tolkinen, at a position where experience is invaluable.

"It's definitely been a process," Clifton said. "At the beginning of the year, defense was really important. The coaches stressed that very much."

A season-opening loss at Anchorage helped get that message across. The team has been one of the tops in the country in offense and defense, on the penalty kill, and in assorted other categories that helped them to seventh place in both polls going into the playoffs.

That core was the No. 1 team in the nation last year until Yale won the national final 4-0 in Pittsburgh.

"Clearly (the returning players) are never going to forget it," Clifton said. "It's definitely not how anyone wanted things to end."

Senior captain Cory Hibbeler said they think about it, have talked about it, getting back for another chance at a title. They know they've got three games to get there, starting with Providence, which won't be easy.

The teams played a 3-3 tie in Hamden in November as Providence goalie Jon Gillies made 45 saves.

Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold said Gillies looked sharp that night. Gillies said the shot total was less indicative of his team's performance, more indicative of sloppy rebounds he left, forcing the Friars to come back.

"Two freshmen made mistakes," Pecknold said. "It was early in the year. They're better players now."